Thursday, December 12, 2024
The Lawrence Road Middle School PTSA and the Junior Honor Society partnered to have their second annual Health Fair.
“Last year we joined to start a health fair so that the community can have access to medical resources and cancer prevention,” Veronica Argueta, Lawrence Road Junior Honor Society advisor and equity officer, said.
A major focus of the fair was to raise awareness about cancer. Olga Hernandez and Karen Johnson, PTSA members for nearly 16 years and the organizers of the event, are both cancer survivors.
Last year’s health fair was centered around cancer awareness, Johnson said, but this year’s was about health in a broader sense. Cancer education was still at the forefront, with a table from Adelphi University about breast cancer and another table about prostate cancer.
Hernandez worked at the New York Medical College for 43 years in the obstetrics and gynecology department where she managed the chief of service schedule and oversaw a staff of 20 people. She knows well the importance of early detection and intervention, from her expansive career and from her personal experiences.
“We have the knowledge to go seek our timely check-ups,” Hernandez said, “but a lot of people don’t think of it.”
A large square of tables filled up the middle of Lawrence Road’s newly renovated general purpose room, with a variety of health professionals and other organizations handing out information and pamphlets.
Molloy University’s Community Care Mobile Clinic set up tables to provide a variety of services. They ran medical tests onsite for issues like high blood pressure and diabetes, and they gave referrals to people whose tests showed that they need additional medical attention. There were also mental health and counseling services available for those who need them.
“It’s a nice way for (people) to network, see all the resources available to them,” Argueta said, “and then from there, go to their regular doctors and get checked out.”
Two representatives from the Nassau County Department of Health had a booth set up where they handed out informational pamphlets and flyers about a variety of different health topics, from medical conditions like diabetes to healthy habits for families.
Long Island University Post’s Center for Community Inclusion has a partnership with local communities that helps to connect people with localized support. A representative was at the fair, sharing information about that program as well as a scholarship opportunity for people interested in getting a degree in school counseling and social work for high needs schools. To learn more, email Post-CCI@liu.edu.
Premier Endodontics, where Uniondale Board of Education trustee Addie Harvey-Blanco works, was there as well to give out information about dental hygiene and bags of free mouth care items, like toothpaste and toothbrushes.
To incorporate some physical exercise, Luz McCaw hosted a zumba session for adults and kids, and Cohen Nelson, Uniondale High’s varsity soccer coach, ran a soccer clinic where kids of all ages learned soccer tips and tricks.
Kids also had the chance to learn about woodworking from Eagle Scout Xavier Liddelow, with kids building their own motorcycles and chariots.
Johnson said she was happy with the turnout of people showing up to this year’s fair.
“We want them to be educated and to take pamphlets home and pertinent information so they can have better health,” she said.
